Florida Gators announce plans for Indoor Practice Facility

The Florida Gators have announced plans to build a new indoor practice facility that will be open for business by September. A full 120-yard facility will house a synthetic turf field, additional space for drill work on the north end of the field, three camera platforms, satellite training room facilities, equipment storage and restrooms.

“This is something we have talked about internally for some time,” said Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley. “We have always been able to utilize The O’Connell Center as an indoor option for the football team, but with the renovation starting this Spring, it will no longer be available.”

Florida officials estimate that 30 practices were affected by inclimate weather during the 2014 season. In those instances, the

Image courtesy of Gatorzone.com

football team would move inside the O’Dome, to the Florida Gym, reschedule or even cancel practice.

Davis Architects out of Birmingham, Alabama, are leading the project design, while Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors have been tapped to manage the project.

The plans, which will break ground on the current Sanders practice facility, adjacent to McKethan Stadium, will allow for another 120-yard natural grass field with two endzones and a 70-yard field with one end zone. The indoor practice facility will have roll up panels that allow for ventilation as well as easy access to the other two fields during practices.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $15 million dollars and will be funded through private gifts and capital financing.

About Nick de la Torre

A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

WOW. What great news. I’m just concerned we’ll have less to complain about as fans, as that has always been such a hot topic on the boards. HA! Oh, that’s right, we’re Gator fans, we’ll find something else to complain about! I hope Davis & Co. engineers make it strong enough to withstand strong winds. Go Gators.

The Florida Gators have announced plans to build a new indoor practice facility that will be open for business by September. A full 120-yard facility will house a synthetic turf field, additional space for drill work on the north end of the field, three camera platforms, satellite training room facilities, equipment storage and restrooms.

“This is something we have talked about internally for some time,” said Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley. “We have always been able to utilize The O’Connell Center as an indoor option for the football team, but with the renovation starting this Spring, it will no longer be available.”

Florida officials estimate that 30 practices were affected by inclimate weather during the 2014 season. In those instances, the

Image courtesy of Gatorzone.com

football team would move inside the O’Dome, to the Florida Gym, reschedule or even cancel practice.

Davis Architects out of Birmingham, Alabama, are leading the project design, while Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors have been tapped to manage the project.

The plans, which will break ground on the current Sanders practice facility, adjacent to McKethan Stadium, will allow for another 120-yard natural grass field with two endzones and a 70-yard field with one end zone. The indoor practice facility will have roll up panels that allow for ventilation as well as easy access to the other two fields during practices.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $15 million dollars and will be funded through private gifts and capital financing.

Image courtesy of Gatorzone.com

Nick de la TorreNickde la Torrenick@gatorcountry.comAuthorA South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGCGatorCountry.com